Jose Aldo Wraps Up MMA Career, Released From UFC Contract
Jose Aldo’s career has come to an end.
The two-time UFC featherweight champion has reportedly retired, ending an 18-year career run that made him one of the most decorated fighters in the sport. MMA Fighting confirmed the news with sources, based on Combate, who first reported the news.
For casual MMA fans, they might have known Aldo for his rivalry with Conor McGregor and how that was immediately ended by McGregor knocking out Aldo in 13 seconds or his pair of fights with Max Holloway, who had battered Aldo to retain his featherweight title.
But for other fans, they know how the Brazilian fighter came up.
Aldo debuted as a professional fighter in August 2004. He recorded a 10-1 record before signing with the World Extreme Cagefighting promotion in 2008.
He took out his next five opponents by knockout. At WEC 44, Aldo challenged Mike Brown for the featherweight title and won it by a second-round TKO. He claimed his first title at the age of 23.
He would defend that belt twice before transitioning to the UFC, which was a part of a company merger in 2010.
Aldo was promoted to inaugural UFC featherweight champion and defended it seven consecutive times – a UFC record – before running into McGregor at UFC 194.
In 2019, Aldo dropped down to bantamweight. He was unable to win the vacant title against Petr Yan – losing by fifth round TKO – but got back into the winning column with consecutive wins over the division’s best including Marlon Vera, Pedro Munhoz and Rob Font.
His last fight was on August 20 where he lost by unanimous decision to Merab Dvalishvili.
MMA Fighting reported that Aldo’s team negotiated a release from his UFC contract with one bout remaining. The MMA community paid their respects to the “King of Rio” following the news.
The King of Rio calls it a career 👑
Congratulations @JoseAldoJunior on a legendary run 👏 pic.twitter.com/VvRQwFV0PO
— UFC (@ufc) September 18, 2022
Wish nothing but the best to the Featherweight Goat @josealdojunior 🙏
— Alex Volkanovski (@alexvolkanovski) September 18, 2022
The King of RIO! What a career brother! Go enjoy retirement brother. Eat some açaí with cashew and powder milk for me 🤙🏻 @josealdojunior
— Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) September 18, 2022